Lee Etta Forbes

July 6, 1926 - April 5, 2010

Lee Etta Forbes died Monday (April 5, 2010) at the McCook Community Hospital in McCook, Neb., at the age of 83.

She was born July 6, 1926, in Hobart, Okla., the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Samantha Emnia (Flowers) Hopson. She grew up in Hereford, Texas, where she graduated from Hereford High School in 1942.

She attended West Texas State College. She worked as a Deputy Tax Collector in Hereford at the Deaf Smith County Court House.

On August 31, 1945, Lee married Harry Engman Jr. at Compton, Calif., where he was serving during World War II as a gunner on a Naval Supply Ship. Following his discharge from the military they moved to Hereford, Texas, where they were life time members of the VFW.

Harry preceded her in death in 1963. In 1965 she moved to LaVeta, Colo., where she extended her family with Arthur Prator.

She was an active member in the community, bridge club, Booster Club and secretary, bookkeeper of the LaVeta Cemetery. She was a professional cook who enjoyed her vegetable and flower garden and doing yard work.

Arthur preceded her in death in 1979. She moved to Benson, Ariz., with her husband Robert Forbes. Following the death of her husband in 1986 she returned to LaVeta, Colo., where she made her home until moving to McCook in 2002 where she enjoyed many neighbors and friends and the beauty of McCook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, V.C. Hopson of Dimmitt, Texas.

Lee is survived by one son, Gary Lee Engman and wife Sandra of Tucson, Ariz.; one daughter, Carrie Dee Kothe and husband, Don of Indianola, Neb.; two grandsons, Jason T. Farmer and wife Kathryn of Kit Carson, Colo., Timothy J. Engman and wife, Anne of Spokane, Wash.; three granddaughters, Samantha Lee Johnson and husband, Richard of Kit Carson, Colo., Christian English and husband, Dale of San Diego, Calif., and Kimberlee Campbell and husband, John of Juneau, Alaska; 14 great-grandchildren; one nephew; two nieces; five great-nephews; three great nieces; and numerous extended family members and friends.

There will be no local services and a memorial service will be scheduled later in LaVeta, Colo., and graveside inurnment will be at her final resting place in Hereford, Texas.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.